Crutch splint



Jan. 16, 1940. w. KELTON ET AL CRUTCH SPLINT Filed March 9, 1936 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS KELTO/V JUL/U6 M4 FISCHER ATTORNEY Jan. 16,1940. w, KELTON ET AL 2,187,323

CRUTCH SILINT Filed March 9, 1956 3 Sheets-Shut 2 ATTORNEY 1 Jan. 16,1940.

W. KELTON El AL CRUTCH SPLINT Filed March 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 NVEN TOR. ELTON M475? A JUL/U5 M FYJCHER M ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16,

enema SBLINT wane;- mum and Julius W.". Fischer, Seattle, 1 Wash.;saidFischer assignor to said .Kelton jApplicationMarch 9, 1936, Serial No.67,777

14 Claims. f(o1. 1z s a7) M This invention relates to a crutch splintofa form adapted to be used in the-treatment or re duction of afracturedor brokenclavicle or collar bone and of fracturedfor broken rib or ribs.5' A primary object of thisinvention is to pro vide acrutch s'plintwhich will maintain the fractured clavicleparts or ribs in apredetermined. position during treatment. Theposition desired duringtreatment is raisingthe arm and shoulder 10 ;upwardly, holding the armoutwardly and holding s the} arm and shoulder in; a backward @or erectpand'ed position. i s i An important object of the: invention is toposition and maintaining the chestgin an ex- 1 lfi provide a crutchsplint having a padded crutch member which is pivotally supportedforswinging movement forwardly and rearwardly and is further supportedfor rotative movement on an upright axis and connected at theback of the-,bodywith rotative. positioning means which" holds the clutch member ina correct rotative position and draws and holdsthe shoulder lback asiaras the fracture requires;

,Another object of the invention is to provide.

la"crutch splint which will maintain theiractured end portions of"thecllavicle or rib substantially immovable relative to each other andatthe ame time otherwise afford freedom of movement to the patient.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a crutch splint which iscomfortable for the reasonable patient to wear, whichlpermits freeu'seof the. arm on theinjured side, including use. of the fore- H arm andhand and which makes it possible for. be active during the time he isath patient to wearing the crutch splint.

Other objectsof theinvention are to pr'ovidea crutch splint which iscapable of repeated use, a is adjustable and bendable or formable toinsure anfaccurate and comfortable int and to fit dif Iferentindividuals; is reversable and equally *well adapted for: use; on eitherthe right or left side,

andis easily applied and removed but not readily displaced by normalactivity of the patient? X "Another object of the inventionis toprovidea crutch .splintwhich leaves the injured parts openfor'inspection andmassaging.

Another object of the invention is to provide a modifiedform oftheweightof the injured shoulder or side from *the hip and making itpossible to entirely distaken substantially on brokenline 6-G ofF'ig. 5'

pelviclorj hip plate adapted to rest securely on the top portion of theilium or hipfbone, thus supporting the major portion oi ense the use ofshoulder strapsso that i'rac be more practically treated.

tures of both clavicles or ribs on eachside can It is a further objectof this invention topicvide a crutch splint which is also useful in thecase of fractured ribs. The thing accomplished is the bringingtogetherthe fractured ends of the ribs, while at the same time relieving thepatient chest at, complete rest. The manner in which this isaccomplished. is by holding the shoulder a on the injured side upwardlyand backwardly, thus increasing the chestcapacity. By holding l theshoulder on the injured side upwardly and backwardly, the chest isexpanded (in contrast to collapsed position), which tends .to. move the.

fractured ends of the ribs into alignment, pre vents overlapping of theends of the ribs, so that 1 chest in a fully expanded condition'preventsmovement of the broken parts of the ribs rela.- tive to each other withthe breathing of the wearer, which aids in the reduction of thefractureand the comfort of the patient.

The above mentioned general objects of the in-@ vention, together; withothers inherent in the the following drawings, the same being preferredexemplary forms of embodiment of theinvention, throughoutwhichdrawingslike refer-.

ence numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a {rear elevation of a crutch splint constructed "inaccordance with this invention as.

it may appearwhen appliedto the patient; M

Fig.2 is a front elevationof the same;

. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view substana .of any paininbreathing, and which holdsthethe ribs are properly positioned forhealing. Furthermore, the crutch splint by holding the.

same are attained by the device illustrated in I Fig. 3 is a sideelevation on a larger scale, with parts in section, of a crutch splintand support is for the same constructed in accordance with thisinvention}. 1 49,

tially on a broken lines-4 of Fig. of a pivot mounting means;

. Fig. 5 is a. detached elevation of an akilla plate embodied intheinvention;

Fig. 6 is. a sectional view of said axillaplate Fig. 7 is anelevationshowing a doubleor duplex crutch splint constructed in accordancewitnthis inventionia's the same may appear when in Fig. 8 is an elevation ofa modified form of crutch splint constructed in accordance with thisinvention as thesame may appear when in use; i

Fig. 913 an elevation of still anothermodified form of this inventionshowing the same as it may appear when in use;

' Fig. 10 is ,a detached perspective view of the metal frame portion ofa modified form of pelvic bracket constructed in accordance with. thisinvention;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the bracket illustrated in Fig. 10, showingcertain portions of said bracket provided with rubber tube paddingmeans; and p I Fig. 12 is an elevation of a crutch splint employing thebracket shown in Fig. 10, as this splint may appear when in use. c

Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, disclose a preferred embodiment of thisinvention comprising a semicircularly shaped crutch member formed of an1 arcuate metal frame l2 embedded in padding material l3, as spongerubber, and preferably covered with a soft covering M, as of chamoisskin or soft leather. sufficiently pliant to permit it to be bent and Vshaped to fit different individuals but still retain its shape when inuse. This contributes greatly to the comfort of the person wearing thesplint.

A downwardly extending straight stem 55* is rigidly secured to the metalframe it. A tubular ,support I6 telescopicallyreceives the lower end ofthe stem [5. The stem I5 is. externally threaded for the reception oftwo wing nuts ll which relatively jam and lock against each other andone of which rests on the top end of the tubular sup- I port l6, leavingthe stem l5 and crutch member free to move rotatively. The wing nuts llform a readily operable means for adjusting the position of thecrutchmember vertically. The lower end portion of the tubular support H5 ispivotally mounted on a pivot member l8 which is secured to a curvedsupporting pelvic plate [9. The supporting plate l9 preferably has a pad29 of soft material secured to the inner or concave side thereof. Onepreferred means for securing the pad 20 to thecurved supporting plate isis to i provide holes 2| in the plate I9 and sew or lace makes itpossible to draw the shoulder'of the .the pad 20 to the plate l9. bycord or thread 22' which is sewed or laced through the pad 28 andthrough the holes 2!. in the plate.

The padded plate I 9 forms a support which rests on the hip of thepatient and provides means from which the crutch member is supported ina desired elevated position. By the arrangement hereinbefore describedit will be apparent that the crutch member andpart's l5 and iii are freeto pivot backwardly and, forwardly on pivot I8 while the crutch memberand stem l5 are free to move rotatively onth'e axis of the stem 15. Thispivotal and rotative movement patient back and hold it back.

The padded supporting plate I9 is supported on the hip of the patient byinclined sling strap means 23 which is adjustably secured, as by buckles24, to the supporting-plate 9 and passes up over a pad 25 on theshoulder onthe opposite side of the patient. A belt strap 26 is. also"adjustably secured to the supporting plate l9, as

' by buckles 21, and passes around the body of the patient at thelocation of the hips. A pad 28 is preferably provided under the beltstrap 26 where it passes around the hip opposite to the one againstwhich the padded plate l9 rests.

A curved axilla plate 29 having a pad 3il secured thereto, see Figs.1,2, 5 and 6; is provided at the location of the ar'm-pitor axilla ofthe patient'on the side'opposite to that being treated.

I his axilla plate 29'iscurvedto fit the curva- The metal frame l2 is todraw and hold the patients shoulder back in the correct location toproperly position the fractured clavicle or ribs, the axilla plate 29serving as an anchor means for the tightener straps.

The open top of the crutch member l2l3--M is provided with an adjustableand releasable cross strap 35 which may be buckled across the topof theshoulder to provide means for holding .the crutch means snugly incontact with the shoulder. It will be noted that the crutch member isinclined at an angle to the stem 55 (see Figs. 1 and 2) so that it willconform to the shape of the axilla and shoulder to which it is applied.This angle may be varied, within the limits required for adjustment, bybending the parts I2 and it. This bendability of the crutch member makesit possible to provide much greater comfort for the wearer. The crutchmember is relatively bulky especially in the portion which fits into theaxilla so that it acts as a fulcrum and holds the tip of the shoulderoutwardly enough to insure proper relative longitudinal adjustment ofsaid fractured clavicle portions.

In applying this crutch splint to a patient the crutch member may befitted into the axilla and the top strap 35 fastened. The padded pelvicplate It may then be adjusted to the hip, the stem l5 fitted into thetubular support Ifiand the sling straps 23 and belt strap26 fastened.The

axilla plate 29 is adjusted to the axilla of the.

opposite arm and the tightener straps 3| and 32 fastened. After thecrutch splint has been applied as above described it may be adjusted toproperly position a fractured clavicle or ribs by adjusting the wingnuts I! to raise theshoulder to the required height and adjusting the.tightener straps 3i and 32 to draw the shoulder back into the properposition. This adjustment of the tightener straps 3| and 32 requires aloose plate 29, being shaped to conform to the curvature of the body,will remain inthe correct position under the opposite arm andresistslippage due tounequal tension of tightener straps 3tand 32. Thethickness and bulk of the crutchmemher acting as a fulcrum under thearmon. the injured side W111 hold the tip, of the shoulder; outwardly.This crutch, when properly adjusted.

thus functions efficiently to hold the injured.

shoulder upwardly and backwardly. andoutwardly and to keep the chestfully expanded, thereby meeting all of the requirements necessary. to

properly reduce a clavicle fracture or ribfractures. The padding l3 ofthe crutch memberis;

soft and yielding, thus eliminating all danger of crutch paralysis.

The plates and 29 are preferably constructed-- of strong light weightnon-corrosive material, as

it? it i i .12 187323 i aluminum. or aluminum alloy/, thus reducin'g fthe weightofthe apparatus toa minimum.

. sling straps 39 and belt straps 40. "Only one belt proper positions.The splint shown inFig. '7 is ,.;..particularly usefulin cases of ribfractures on both sides of apa'tient. The operation of the splintshownin F g '7 is substantially thesame I as the operation of -'the splintshown in Figs. 1

to fi, exceptthat the device shown in Fig. 7 supports both shoulders.

embodying a crutch member 53, supporting means 44!, pelvictplateyfl.sling strap; means 46 and belt means" all, similar to the correspondingfparts hereinbefore described and illustrated in WEigsgl to 6. aInthismodificationotf this invene tion, a shoulder ring-48 isprovided toslip on over the arm andencircle the shoulder opposite to theinjuredshoulderxof the patient." A pad "may be ,used inconnection withthis shoulder ring 48. 'Anadjustableconnector, in the nature of a rigidtubular support 50receiving a threadedstem 5| connects one .armiiof thecrutch member 43 1 with i the. .shoulder ring 48,- The stem 5| isthreaded through a nut 52 which is rotatively connected .5 with theendportion of the tubular support5|| in such a manner that the overalllength of the connector formed by parts 50 and 5| may be increased ordecreased by turning the nut 52.

.Two pivot members. 53 and 54 connect the re--. spective outer endportions of the tubular support50 and threaded stem with the shoulderring 48 and crutch member 43. By adjusting the nut 52 on the connectingmeans 5|l ---5|, the crutch member 43 may be moved rotatively so as 5 tohold the injured shoulder back in proper position. The operation of thesplint device shown inFig. 8 is substantially the same as theoperationof the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 in so far l as supportingthe shoulder and ribs is concerned.

0. Fig. 9 shows stilllanother modifled iorm of the invention in which acrutch member 55 is connected by a pivot 56 with a transversesupportingmember-51. Themember 51 is adjustably connected with another transversesupport- 5 ing member 58 as by bolts 59 adjustable into different holes60. @I'hemember 5 8is rigidwith an upright supporting memberxfil whichhas a slot 62 and is adjustably connected by thumb screws 63 with anupright rigid platevmember 64. [The upright plate member 64 ispositioned medially of ithe back ofthe patient and is secured to ametallic beltmember 65 which extends aroundthe hips of the patient.Padding means 66 is preferably provided inside the plate 54 and metallic'belt member. 65. A. sling strap strapis shown but it is understoodthatthere is' a" similar 'beltstrap at the other side. The rear armsorforks of the two crutch members are connected with each'other"by-atransverse strap ..,4 |fwhichis adjustableby buckles 42. By tension ingtherearstrap fl the crutch member 36 may berotatedlanyfldesired amounton their uprightf axes todraw the shoulders rearwardly into their Fig.8shows a modification oi the invention.

61 issecured to the upper endof the upright plate member 64 and extendsover the-shoulder:

the patient as indicated by dotted lines.

sling strap aids in preventing the belt 65. from slipping down. Atightenerstrap 68 adjustably cozineets'ithe-rear arm of the crutchmember wit'n'an axillaplate 69 positioned under'thd" opposite arm of thepatient, providing means formovingthe crutch member 55 rotatively onl:

. of the patient opposite to thatbeing treated and? may-connect withthebelt 65 at the front er thepivot 56 to draw the shoulder back intocorrect position. crutch member 55 is had by means ofthumb screws 63operating in slot 62. The adjustment afiorded by bolts 59in holes takescare of- Vertical adjustment of the.

individuals of differentsize and also makes it possible to exert anoutward thrust on the shouljder and upper arm to obtain a desiredfpositioningof the fracturedportions of a clavicle or e T3 ribs. i l

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 we have showna modified form of hip orpelvicsupport which isa'dapted to suDDOrt a crutch member solely from the jhips, making it possible to dispense with diagonal shoulder strapsemployed in the devices shown inFigs. 1 to 9, inclusive. Dispensing withthe shoulder straps and taking the load entirely oif 10, 11 and 12especially desirable in cases of fractures on both sides of a patient.The distinctivefeatures of the device showninFigs. i

10, 11 and 12 reside in the provision of a different type of hip orpelvic support adapted to be supported on the hip bone or ilium and inthe provision of universal joint means connecting said pelvic supportwith upright supporting means by which a crutch member is supported.This pelvic support comprises a metal frame capable of being bent orformed so "as to best i of theshoul'ders makes the splintshown in Figs.

fit thebodyandmostcomfortably and eiiiciently support, the load."I'hispelvic support embodies an upper curved member Hland a, lowercurved member 1|" connected with each other at the ends by uprightportions 12 and connected. to-

gether substantially midway between the two ends by a generally uprightmember 13 which is secured to,and extends substantially verti-I callyfrom, the lower curved member H and is thence curved inwardly andsecured to the upper curved member 10. When this pelvic support isapplied to a person the upper curved member I0 is pressed against anddue to its small cross sectional area depresses the yielding fleshportions of the abdomen just above the hips and rests upon the crest ofthe ilium ",indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12. The lower curvedmember 1| rests against the hip of the wearer.

It is to be noted that this lower curved member isdeeperyand extendsfarther outwardly than the up'per curved member 10. The member 13extends outwardly from the upper curved member 10 clear of thehip andthence downwardly to the lower curved member H. Belt means u connectedwith members 12, holds the pelvic support .in place with the uppercurved member 10 resting on the crest of the ilium 14 so that a load maybe comfortably and firmly supported. Preferablypadding means in thenature of rubber tubes 8| are provided on the upper and Adjustableupright supporting means 16 is .pivotally con-' nected with the member13 of the pelvic support by a ball and socket or universal joint meanslowercurvedmembers Ill and ll.

11; A; crutch member lfi isg supported by the;

supporting means 16; Tightener belt, meansgJQ,

connectedwith the, crutch member lfigand with; anaxilla plate 80; isusedto adjust the crutch 4;. member 18 ,rotatively. No shoulderstrapsare used and the weight is comfortably supported,

from the hip of the patient. The ball ,andisocket jointmeans-llrprovides a maximum freedom al-j lowing both the pelvic supportand the crutch Qsmember to fit the body of the patient without be. nofracture whatever, but nevertheless thedevice is adapted to support theshoulders; andthe ribs. sov that there is no dropping, of theshoulder'and the ribs are prevented from cola siilapsing upon the lungsand prevent the normal operation thereof. Obviously, changes maybe madein the-forms,

dimensions and arrangement of the parts of this invention, withoutdepartingfrom the: principle i-ithereof; the above setting forth onlypreferred 'forms of embodiment. a Q We claim: i

1. Acrutch splint embodying, a pelvic support;

a vertically adjustable rod supporting-l means amounted on saidsupportand extendingupwardly therefrom; a crutch member carried on the upperend portion of said rod supporting means, said crutch member beingrotatably movable with 'respectto the axis; of the rod supportingmeansz.

tlanchor means adapted to interfit Withthebody portion of a patientdirectly below the axilla opposite to the crutch member and said anchormeans being adapted to be held substantially immovable with respect tothe side of a patient loi opposite the crutch member; and crutchmemberpositioning means comprising adjustablean terior and posteriorconnecting means joining the said anchor means to said crutch member.

2. In a crutch splint, a pelvic support; supporting means pivoted at oneend portion to;

said pelvic support and extending upwardly f therefrom; a crutch membercarried by said supporting means and freely rotatably movable axially ofsaid supportingmeans; anchor means 5 adapted to interfit with the bodyportion of a patient: directly below: the axilla opposite to the crutchmember and said anchor means being adapted to be heldsubstantiallyimmovable with respect to the side of a patient opposite the 9.

crutch-member; and crutch member positioning means comprising adjustabletension strap means between the rear portion of said crutch member andsaid anchor means rotatively positioning said crutchmember axially of;said supporting means.

3. In a crutch splint, a pelvic support; a tubular; support pivoted atone end portion to said; pelvic support and extending upwardly there-,from; aithreaded supporting rod telescopicwithr in said; tubularsupport; nutmeans on said ro'd positioned to rest on the upper endportion of said tubular supportproviding rotary movement and,longitudinal adjustment of said supporting rod; a; padded crutchmemberl-secured to the upperi end portion of said supporting rod; andpositioning devices connected; with said-crutch member and adapted to beconnected with the; bodyzof a: patient at the opposite shoulder to thecrutch means. i I

v 4. In a, crutch splint, a pelvic support; uprightsupporting meanspivoted at one end portion to said pelvic support; a crutch membercarried by. said supporting means and rotatively movable axiallyrelative to said: supporting means; shoulder ring means adapted to beheld substantially immovable by theshoulder of the patient opposite tothat injured; and adjust able devices connecting the crutch means withthe shoulder ring means. providing rotary ad- 'justment of the crutchmeans axially of the sup-.

